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Unlikely duo’s record-breaking rescue lifts Australia to World Cup win over Pakistan

Unlikely duo’s record-breaking rescue lifts Australia to World Cup win over Pakistan

Australia survive chaotic middle order collapse with record ninth-wicket stand

In a dramatic turn at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, defending champions Australia avoided a historic upset as Beth Mooney’s masterful century and a composed finish from Alana King helped them post 9-221 from 50 overs. Pakistan, winning the toss and bowling first on a slow, turning pitch, struck early and often, leaving Australia reeling at 7-76 after a chaotic middle-order collapse that threatened to derail the innings.

Spinner Rameen Shamim (2-29) and pace option Nashra Sandhu (3-37) ripped through the Australian middle order, leaving the defending champions with more questions than answers. Yet Mooney, renowned for her calm under pressure, found a formidable ally in King. The pair stitched a record 106-run partnership for the ninth wicket, the highest ninth-wicket stand in women’s ODI history, turning a precarious situation into a defendable total.

“I’m pretty exhausted after that innings,” Mooney said after the match, reflecting on a knock that typified grit and patience. “It was a pretty tricky situation. We wanted to get a partnership going and really had to grind to reach 221. Alana King was incredible tonight. We’ve seen her do it before and it was nice to share that stand with her.”

King, whose earlier career-best 51 not out included three sixes and several deft boundary options, demonstrated her versatility as a lower-order bat. The left-hander’s performance, including a trio of sixes in the closing overs, secured her a personal best and elevated the nervy Australian innings into a credible total.

Mooney’s hundred, her fifth ODI century, arrived off 114 balls and was marked by a combination of late singles and punishing strokes off the back foot. The duo’s assault in the final four overs—53 runs in total—put the chase beyond Pakistan’s reach and shifted momentum decisively in Australia’s favor.

Captain Alyssa Healy lauded Mooney’s innings, saying, “That’s one of the best innings I’ve seen Mooney play, and I’ve seen her bat a lot. Thanks to her we got ourselves on the board. We’d have taken 150 and tried to defend that, so to get up over 200 was a huge effort.”

Pakistan’s reply began with promise but faltered after a red-hot opening spell. Australia’s bowlers, led by Kim Garth (3-14), peppered the Pakistan lineup, and veterans Megan Schutt and all-rounder Annabel Sutherland added key breakthroughs to seal a comprehensive 107-run win. Sidra Amin top-scored with 35, but no other batsman could sustain a run of form against Australia’s potent attack.

“We were on top in the first 20 overs, after that Mooney played well. The way she played was awesome to watch,” Pakistan captain Fatima Sana Khan admitted. She also stressed the need for higher energy levels across the innings: “If you are on top, you need to remain on top until the last ball. We need our energy from 20 overs for the whole game.”

The victory keeps Australia undefeated after three games and preserves their place atop the World Cup standings. It follows a commanding performance against Sri Lanka, which was abandoned due to washout, and comes ahead of their next group-stage clash with co-hosts India in Visakhapatnam.

Mooney’s influential display underscored why she is among the most feared openers in women’s cricket and why King’s all-round contributions are becoming indispensable for Australia. The duo’s ninth-wicket stand will be remembered as a watershed moment that swung the balance of a challenging day in Colombo, reaffirming Australia’s status as favorites to defend their title in this edition of the Women’s World Cup.

What this win means for Australia

With three matches completed, Australia sit comfortably at the top of the standings, buoyed by a mix of frontline pace, clever spin, and clinical lower-order contributions. The team remains disciplined in the field, and Mooney’s heroics provide a template for how to dig deep when the going gets tough.

As the tournament progresses, opponents will be reminded that beating Australia is not simply a matter of containing their top order; the depth of talent in the middle and lower order can still turn a game in a single afternoon. For now, the focus will be on maintaining momentum, refining partnerships, and ensuring they keep their eyes on defending the title in a high-stakes global event.

Looking ahead

Australia’s next assignment is against India in Visakhapatnam, a clash that carries extra weight given the co-hosts’ mounting form. If Mooney can translate her touch into another influential innings and King can continue to contribute with the bat and ball, Australia will be well-placed to navigate the remainder of the tournament with confidence.